Matthew, 3

1. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

1. In the course of time John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea and began to proclaim his message,

2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

2. "Change your ways, the Kingdom of heaven is now at hand!"

3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

3. It was about him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said, A voice is shouting in the desert: prepare a way for the Lord; make his paths straight.

4. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

4. John had a leather garment around his waist and wore a cloak of camel's hair; his food was locusts and wild honey.

5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

5. People came to him from Jerusalem, from all Judea and from the whole Jordan valley,

6. And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

6. and they were baptized by him in the Jordan as they confessed their sins.

7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

7. When he saw several Pharisees and Sadduccees coming to where he baptized, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who told you that you could escape the punishment that is to come?

8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

8. Let it be seen that you are serious in your conversion,

9. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

9. and do not think: We have Abraham for our father. I tell you that God can raise children for Abraham from these stones!

10. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10. The axe is already laid to the roots of the trees; any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.

11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:

11. I baptize you in water for a change of heart, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than me; indeed I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

12. Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

12. He has the winnowing fan in his hand and he will clear out his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn in everlasting fire."

13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

13. At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

14. But John tried to prevent him, and said, "How is it you come to me: I should be baptized by you!"

15. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

15. But Jesus answered him, "Let it be like that for now that we may fulfill the right order." John agreed.

16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

16. As soon as he was baptized, Jesus came up from the water. At once, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and rest upon him.

17. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

17. At the same time a voice from heaven was heard, "This is my Son, the Beloved; he is my Chosen One."